ANGEL THOUGHTS

“Forgiveness does not make the other person right. It makes you free.”  Steve Tamayo

The political landscape drastically changed after the “people’s burial” of our Icon, Tita Cory. Destiny? Divine intervention? Written in the stars?

Out of a nationwide sense of intense personal loss, emerged a groundswell of  hope, a new electrifying energy, a passionate  commitment to service and to undergo a true sacrifice for the good of the country with the realization that the goodness, purity of heart, courage, and love for God and country we so admire in Cory could still be ours if we seize the moment and find someone to continue to inspire us to  live the legacy!

All it took was the coming together of the two heirs of political titans, senators Gerry Roxas and Ninoy Aquino! Sure they were close friends before but during these last few days, we saw them bond as “brothers” and transform as mature statesmen capable of  higher goals and achievements.

Before the “supreme sacrifice” of Senator Mar Roxas in setting aside his ambition to be president to be able to lead the country “out of darkness and despair” in favor of Senator Noynoy Aquino, motherhood statements about “bayan muna bago sarili” were freely used by presidentiables but not really taken to heart and easily believed by prospective voters. “Iba na ngayon!” Now we have heard from one who will really live his selfless service to his party and the country and we have been converted into a nation of believers!

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Today, I can dare predict that fresh from his retreat in a Carmel convent in Zamboanga City, (as he promised his sisters) the “Anointed One,” Senator Benigno “Noynoy”Aquino lll will finally accept the “people’s draft” as well as his party, the Liberal Party of his candidacy for the presidency. This will happen on Wednesday, the 40th day of the death of his mother, our beloved Tita Cory.

This is not being wishy-washy …rather it is giving this momentous decision all the thought, prayer, reflection, and study it deserves. After all, before his mother’s passing and before the clamor for him to pick up her mantle of leadership and sacrifice, Noynoy was a working senator, ready to finish his term.

Like his mother, Noynoy does not act rashly. He listens, consults, studies then decides. Like her, once he has decided, he is focused and committed. Like her, when she first ran to unite the opposition and topple a dictator, Noynoy is not flashy, not given to histrionics and political gimmicks.

Like her too when she started, he has been underrated politically, staying out of the limelight, doing his work, research and builds networks quietly.

Like her, he is not “plastic.” Like her, he is grace under pressure, diplomatic and civil to enemies, warm and loyal to true friends. Having learned from his parents by their example, he has always been ready to sacrifice his personal privacy to be of service to the country, although we thought that by the passing of his mom, he could now concentrate on his personal life. Wrong mistake!

His impact on young people today is “electrifying” because they see him as the hope for a better future for them. They want to shake his hand, tell him they support his bid, the older folks especially women kiss his hand and cry on his shoulder. The men slap his back and volunteer to work for his campaign. All the support gladdens Noynoy and because he isn’t yet used to the adulation, he simply takes it as an affirmation that the principles and sacrifices of his parents were worth it. Filipinos are worth living for, as his mom often told her children even in the midst of adversities!

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I understand the hesitation to plunge into the euphoria of the public clamor and run for the presidency. Can the Liberal Party unite under him? When united, can the party field local candidates to carry Noynoy? Makati Mayor Jojo Binay has slid down for Noynoy. Will Erap and the other opposition bets do the same? Or will the “reformists” back him up? Questions, questions.

Will funding not be a problem at this late stage of the race? Will the people who clamor for him now be willing to give of themselves, their time and resources to help him?

His sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris have the same message to him after his retreat – Noy, if you want to run for the presidency we will be with you l00 per cent!

Destiny. Mar crossed the Rubicon. Noynoy now will pull the sword out of the stone and flash it for Good! Exciting times for the country, right?

Before we forget, thank you to the generous people who shared snacks and food during the wake of Tita Cory at Greenhills and the Cathedral. They include Steve Tamayo of Tamayo’s Catering, X O Philippines, Oishi from Carlson Chan, Mang Inasal, McDonalds, and many more. Thank you. These fed the volunteers, priests, marshals, even the people who lined up to pay their last respects.

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NOTES...Something to lighten the scene, the music of the '80s and the bands that made  us happy during those years — the Hotdogs, Boyfriends, VST,  RJ, Hagibis — are banding together  for the concert on Sept. ll at the NBC Tent at The Fort. Think of that! We got a preview of the “walang kupas” sounds of Sonny Parsons, Gary Olivar, and Dennis Garcia at the Bulong Pulungan media forum at the Sofitel and we will definitely be there!

Fil-Am Frank Rivera who was with a band too during those years is producing the show and he hopes to bring the OPM sounds to the U.S. for a tour.

Good news from Juris Soliman, director of the First Gentleman’s Foundation — one hundred percent of their Bagong Doktor  medical scholars batch two passed the licensure exams. They are 10 from UP and five from Pamantasan ng Lungsod  Maynila. There will be five more scholars to take the exams on February next year, and Juris is confident that they will all pass. Congratulations!

All the scholars of the FG Foundation render service in chosen far-flung communities where their services are requested by local government units.